Luvofthegame
09-04-2006, 02:48 PM
September 4, 2006
BY JOE COWLEY
Chicago Sun Times
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Joe Crede always has enjoyed the idea of ''flying under the radar.''
Yes, the White Sox third baseman knows his mild-mannered demeanor may cost him a well-deserved Gold Glove this season. After all, even Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has insisted the award has been reduced to a mere popularity contest.
But come this offseason, Crede understands that the numbers he has put up this year can't fly under any radar.
Crede is Sox property through the 2008 season, after which he can become a free agent. How he remains Sox property until then is what will be debated.
While he would like the security of a multiyear deal, he also has no problem doing what he did before this season: signing a one-year contract.
''Whatever they want to do,'' Crede said. ''They haven't approached me or said anything that would make me think otherwise. Until they do, then my thinking on the whole thing might change, but as of now, I just assume they keep going year-to-year.
''That's fine with me. It would be nice to have a long-term deal, but there's also 29 other teams out there. Whatever happens, happens. I do want to finish my career here, but if something were to happen, I still want to play baseball. No matter what team, I still want to go out there and play baseball.''
Crede knows the Sox felt better about him signing a one-year, $2.675 million deal last winter, wanting to see how the two herniated discs in his back would hold up. Not only have they held up, but he's in the midst of a career season.
His glove has been stellar as usual, while his offensive numbers have put him into the elite category of American League third basemen. Crede is batting .301 with 29 home runs and 90 RBI -- which should be enough to silence all the back concerns.
What hasn't changed, however, is that Crede is represented by agent Scott Boras. Basically, Count Dracula with a calculator as far as the Sox are concerned.
That means limited talks between the sides, if any, and possibly a breakup as 2008 approaches. Top third-base prospect Josh Fields wasn't drafted in the first round in 2004 for nothing.
But as quiet as Crede is off the field, he may be the one who takes control of the situation.
Crede was quoted this spring as saying: ''You do hear people say that Boras' guys are puppets, but that's not the case with me. ... Ultimately, the player is who has control of the situation.''
That will be tested this winter as the Sox and Crede begin planning for the future.
''I'm not going to say they should have come to me this season with an offer because that's not something for me to decide,'' Crede said.
''That's up to them because they're the ones that have the money. They sign the checks and have the final say.
''I'm not going to be disappointed either way. Like I said, I just want to play baseball.''
BY JOE COWLEY
Chicago Sun Times
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Joe Crede always has enjoyed the idea of ''flying under the radar.''
Yes, the White Sox third baseman knows his mild-mannered demeanor may cost him a well-deserved Gold Glove this season. After all, even Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has insisted the award has been reduced to a mere popularity contest.
But come this offseason, Crede understands that the numbers he has put up this year can't fly under any radar.
Crede is Sox property through the 2008 season, after which he can become a free agent. How he remains Sox property until then is what will be debated.
While he would like the security of a multiyear deal, he also has no problem doing what he did before this season: signing a one-year contract.
''Whatever they want to do,'' Crede said. ''They haven't approached me or said anything that would make me think otherwise. Until they do, then my thinking on the whole thing might change, but as of now, I just assume they keep going year-to-year.
''That's fine with me. It would be nice to have a long-term deal, but there's also 29 other teams out there. Whatever happens, happens. I do want to finish my career here, but if something were to happen, I still want to play baseball. No matter what team, I still want to go out there and play baseball.''
Crede knows the Sox felt better about him signing a one-year, $2.675 million deal last winter, wanting to see how the two herniated discs in his back would hold up. Not only have they held up, but he's in the midst of a career season.
His glove has been stellar as usual, while his offensive numbers have put him into the elite category of American League third basemen. Crede is batting .301 with 29 home runs and 90 RBI -- which should be enough to silence all the back concerns.
What hasn't changed, however, is that Crede is represented by agent Scott Boras. Basically, Count Dracula with a calculator as far as the Sox are concerned.
That means limited talks between the sides, if any, and possibly a breakup as 2008 approaches. Top third-base prospect Josh Fields wasn't drafted in the first round in 2004 for nothing.
But as quiet as Crede is off the field, he may be the one who takes control of the situation.
Crede was quoted this spring as saying: ''You do hear people say that Boras' guys are puppets, but that's not the case with me. ... Ultimately, the player is who has control of the situation.''
That will be tested this winter as the Sox and Crede begin planning for the future.
''I'm not going to say they should have come to me this season with an offer because that's not something for me to decide,'' Crede said.
''That's up to them because they're the ones that have the money. They sign the checks and have the final say.
''I'm not going to be disappointed either way. Like I said, I just want to play baseball.''